I create a configurable product and the price is shown in this format on product page before you select the option
PRICE $ ( this is actually the price excluding tax of the cheapest option)
Regular Price $ ( the price of the cheapest option including tax)
The error here is my setup is to show prices including tax and not excluding tax ( part of the Australian law)
The item is not on special either so it should not display the words "regular price" anyways